Leaving on a jet plane. (I know...lame,)

"I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again..."
I just found myself singing that classic song with my co-leader Debbie in the hallway of our hotel here in Bangkok. We are currently in the packing process which always involves weighing my luggage to see how close I have come to reaching the weight limit. Thankfully I always seem to manage to JUST make it under the 50 pound mark. Ooops. But in my defense our location offered undeniable great deals for Christmas gifts which now saves me from having to enter into the crazy Christmas scene when I head home to Ontario. This now allows me to spend more time with my family as well as provides them with unique gifts! :) I can't begin to express how cheap things are here. And the amazing amount of markets, they are everywhere! Mind you it is pretty much what people live off of. There are a small amount of large grocery stores because it's so much easier to go to the local market, not to mention you are helping to feed families if you choose to shop in this way. Makes me wish we had more of these options in America.

Anyway, again I regret that I have not written more often about my experiences here but I do imagine that I will be doing a lot of reflecting as I go through my culture shocked return to Canada. I know that I have seen and done many things that have altered my perspective on.... well more than I can list at the moment. For example, today we went to visit the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The architecture was so immaculate and it was sooo shinny!! I can't even begin to describe it, nor can pictures portray it. Apparently the King of Thailand is one, if not THE, wealthiest King in the world which was pretty obvious after having seen his "home" (he doesn't actually live there anymore...). The disappointing part of it all is that you walk into this grand palace and learn all these things about him and his wealth and then exit to see merchants all down the street trying to make "ends meat". I saw children sleeping on a bridge on the main street, people bathing in the canal, beggars and much much more. Nothing is being done, we come and we are here to help feed the king's people, people that he should be able to feed. It does not make any sense, but then again the poverty in our world has never made sense. There is sooo much emphasis put on this one man. One human being which happened to be born into the right family and therefore has wealth and prestige and honor from all. (Although, don't get me wrong I am sure he has done some good for his people, I read about it in a museum today ;) ).

Hmm, in thinking about it someone it also causes me to wonder if his treatment of the poor, or lack there of, has anything to do with their religion. Thailand is a Buddhist country and part of their belief is that if you have done wrong in your past life and are reborn into poverty, without a body part, or illness then you most likely deserve it. Therefore, they don't feel that great of a need to help. However, there is a need for others to do good in order to be reborn into a better state so some do help them... so maybe my theory of the king doesn't ring true. But it's a thought.


OKay well time is ticking away and I should be sleeping right now. I always manage to stay up far later than I should, maybe that is why I am currently fighting a cold, but anyway if you read this I would love prayers for a safe journey for all tomorrow. We will be separating to all go home to our various provinces. It's going to be strange to part but I am also SOO ready for the break.

Much love.

April

P.s. i actually posted this and then had to remove it because of the fear that I could get arrested for what i wrote about the king! I wasn't thinking when I wrote it from the Bangkok hotel and after reality set in and I needed to remove it until now. Yes, they are seriously that strict about the way people talk about their king.